We often read the scriptures as though they were disconnected sayings. We quote one to support our argument and then another and another to build up a doctrinal stronghold. Yet, there is a context to consider, and context is often ignored, when we use the scriptures to support what we say about a particular matter. So, a quote here and one there, may seem to support what we’re trying to say, but sometimes, if context is taken into consideration, we find that we’ve supported our theories by twisting the scriptures in an effort to appear correct. When I use the scriptures to support what I conclude in my studies, I try not to abuse them for my own end, but I know I have not been entirely faithful in the past, and have ignorantly used the word of God to support a false argument, as have other well-meaning folks. Nevertheless, this should not be so. When I discovered my errors in past studies on this website, I corrected those studies, or if they were too far gone to correct, I removed them from public view. However, what has this to do with our present study?
Chapter thirteen of the Gospel of Matthew has Jesus preaching in parable after parable, whenever he addressed the public. Why did he do so at this particular time? According to chapter 12 of Matthew’s narrative, we are told that the Jewish teachers, the rabbis/scribes and the Pharisees began to accuse Jesus of having a demon (Matthew 12:24). This was done, because the general public began to believe Jesus was the great Messiah, who was prophesied to come (Matthew 12:23). In the New Covenant text, we find many references to demons and Satan as evil sentient spirits, but there is very little of this kind of thing seen in the Old Covenant text. Why would that be so, since it is much larger than what many refer to as the Christian text?
During their captivity in Babylon, the Jews became privy to and no doubt adopted many ideas that their captors, the Babylonians, taught. One of those things, I have come to believe, was that evil spirits were living sentient beings that literally “possess” the bodies of living folks, rather than spirits of evil habits, obsession, depression etc. that we all experience at one time or another. In fact, some of us are even overcome by such spirits and need help and quiet, restful times to return to our normal selves. This is how Jesus’ family understood Jesus being accused of having a demon (Matthew 12:24; Mark 3:21). On the other hand, some believed that evil spirits were sentient beings; Josephus claimed they were the spirits of certain dead folks, and the understanding that Beelzebub was their prince or leader seems to indicate the Jewish teachers taught the people these spirits were evil powers, who of their own will, could immediately possess a living being, if the opportunity arose. Thus, those who were willing to receive Jesus as their Messiah (Matthew 12:23) were put in fear, and their hopes were neutralized.
In this context, Jesus began uttering parables, as he taught the people. In fact, Jesus whole argument about Satan casting out Satan was a parable (Mark 3:23). In other words, Jesus wasn’t speaking literally or supporting the idea that Satan or demons were evil sentient spirits with wills of their own. Instead, they are spirits of obsession, depression, evil habits that control us etc. Thes are our demons.
Matthew tells us that all these things, referring to Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 12:25 to Matthew 13:33, were spoken in parables, and without a parable Jesus didn’t speak publicly (Matthew 13:34). So, parable teaching resulted in the rejection of Jesus as the Messiah. Parables are, therefore, the consequence of rebellion or the rejection of the word of God. Parables represent a way to teach the Gospel to those who are ready to obey the Lord, and at the same time the same teaching won’t disturb the understanding of those who reject the word of God. To the former, the parable is light, while to the latter, the parable is darkness, and represents judgment (cp. John 3:19).
The whole event of the rejection of Jesus and his uttering the truths of the Kingdom of Heaven was predicted in the Psalms. It is important to the Lord that the truth that he spoke from the beginning should be taught from generation to generation, but in these last days, which are represented in the days of Christ (Hebrews 1:1-2) were evil rebellious days of the Jews, when they would have become as Sodom (Deuteronomy 31:29; 32:32). At this time, when in rebellion, the nation rejected Jesus as the Messiah, Asaph, the Psalmist, predicted that God would open his mouth in parables, dark sayings about past revealed truths that were rejected. It was known by the fathers and commanded to be taught to future generations, but the nation had now become corrupt like Sodom (Deuteronomy 32:32). Therefore, the truth was preserved in parabolic form, so it could be preserved and understood by those with ears to hear (Matthew 13:9) for generations to come. (Psalm 72:1-8; Matthew 13:35). [EB1]
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